Poll: Sequencers & Arps on Hardware Synths

[pixel85]

I don't really care about sequencers because I prefer to make it all in DAW (PC or MPC), because this way even if I say goodbye to a synth, the sequence will still be in a project. I don't like to have fragmented projects.
Besides that, if I have to use a piano roll to trigger sequences then I see no point in doing it "twice": in a piano roll and in a sequencer.
The only exclusion to this is TD-3 because it's a very strange and quirky sequencer. Like I said in another topic: I like to use it for 1 pattern per track but if it's more then I'm doing it in DAW.

On the other hand, I like to have an arp, just to play with it while tweaking sounds, tweaking for fun etc. But it's just it and nothing else. If arp can be saved with a preset, it's fine. But if it's an analogue synth then I don't bother to use the synth's arp as part of the sound. I'll do it in DAW.

[zerocrossing]

The thing is, once you get fluid with Elektron boxes (I have 4 of em), you don't need the screen to use the Sequencer.

Exactly, and the fact that the sequencer is common across the entire lineup is also what makes them so addictive

It is true that you don’t need the screen on the Elektron boxes to use the sequencer, they still are, IMO, clunky and awkward to use compared to other hardware sequencers. I actually bought a video course for my RYTM, as I felt the manual wasn’t cutting it. I’ve been using sequencers since the 80s, including a pretty sophisticated workstation sequencer (Ensoniq TS-10) and never had as much trouble getting the flow of a sequencer. Is it learnable? Sure, but I totally believe that they could do a lot better on this front. Maybe they did with the MK2. My biggest complaint is they should never or rarely use shift-keys and confirm buttons. A larger screen with more context state variable buttons and knobs would help a lot.

But I love the sound of my RYTM and Analog Four. Overbridge makes them fun to use and Bitwig makes them fun to sequence.

[pdxindy]

You can always program the sequencer to mimic the behaviour of the arp, can't you? Or does it have a set key?

No, not really. You could program the sequencer to play set intervals above/below the note you’re playing to represent a given type of chord (e,g., a minor 7 chord), but the intervals are fixed, so it would simply transpose that same sequence relative to whatever note you play. That’s not going to give me what I usually want, which is for the synth to arpeggiate the chords as I’m playing through a progression of different chord types in real time. They both have their uses, but they work in different ways.

Yeah, an Arp is interactive in realtime... the sequencer is relatively static.

That is why I like Arp's better. Especially like the Arp in Bitwig which works with MPE. Per note pressure controls the velocity of the arpeggiated notes (etc).

[pdxindy]

Just cause you find it hard to learn doesn't mean everyone does.

I didn't find it hard

Then you better go back and edit all those olds posts of yours that say otherwise

[justin3am]

I like synths with arps and sequencers but it's not a requisite. I particularly like synths where the arp and/or sequencer can do more than just trigger notes, extra points of arp/sequencer parameters can be modulated in interesting ways.
Like I rarely use the arp/sequencer that's built into the 3620 keyboard for my Arp 2600. It can't be synced externally and it makes the LFO less useful. It feels tacked on. However I love the arps/sequencers on the Waldorf Quantum and the Sequential Pro 3. I was able to do lots of interesting things with those once I developed a comfortable workflow.

I love Elektron sequencers. I've been using then for almost 15 years now and at this point they just feel natural to me. I'm still finding new ways to achieve my wild whims with those boxes. Conditional trigs in particular are very inspiring but every aspect of the way the sequencers interact with the voices/machines they are controlling, feels well thought out.

[cryophonik]

I think, for me and probably many others, arps are pretty straightforward and don't vary that much among synths in terms of how they are implemented and operate. I think most people can figure them out without dragging out the manual or watching tutorials for most synths. Sequencer implementation/operation OTOH seems to vary quite a bit among brands/synths, so they're never as intuitive as an arp and some of them have a bit of a learning curve to them. I think that's one reason I tend to prefer just using my DAW for melodic sequences because it's far easier and works for any synth. Arps are easy - just feed them chords and they do the rest.

[pdxindy]

I love Elektron sequencers. I've been using then for almost 15 years now and at this point they just feel natural to me. I'm still finding new ways to achieve my wild whims with those boxes. Conditional trigs in particular are very inspiring but every aspect of the way the sequencers interact with the voices/machines they are controlling, feels well thought out.

Yeah, it's the way the Elektron sequencers work with the sound engines that makes them different. I find the Elektron boxes creative and energizing... so often leading to fresh and compelling results.

Elektron has been developing their sequencers for a long time. There's a lot of subtle stuff that just works well. And it is fast enough to try stuff that it does not feel like the interface gets in the way. Things like being able to switch sounds seamlessly on the fly for a couple steps.

[cryophonik]

Yeah, it's the way the Elektron sequencers work with the sound engines that makes them different.

Yup, and the beauty is that, once you learn the sequencer, you're pretty much at least 50% functional with any Elektron box. That's where you discover how the same sequencer interacts so differently with each box's synthesis/sample engines, and also what makes it so easy to want to own several (or all?) of them.

[pdxindy]

Yeah, it's the way the Elektron sequencers work with the sound engines that makes them different.

Yup, and the beauty is that, once you learn the sequencer, you're pretty much at least 50% functional with any Elektron box. That's where you discover how the same sequencer interacts so differently with each box's synthesis/sample engines, and also what makes it so easy to want to own several (or all?) of them.

Elektron keeps adding cool stuff to the Digitakt! It's getting harder to resist!

[BONES]

Then you better go back and edit all those olds posts of yours that say otherwise

"Harder" is not necessarily "hard" - it only has to be 1% harder than using a piano roll for it to be a complete waste of time. Even if it was slightly easier than using a piano roll, in the context of music production it is an unnecessary complication to the process and, therefore, still a complete waste of time.

[elxsound]

Yeah, it's the way the Elektron sequencers work with the sound engines that makes them different.

Yup, and the beauty is that, once you learn the sequencer, you're pretty much at least 50% functional with any Elektron box. That's where you discover how the same sequencer interacts so differently with each box's synthesis/sample engines, and also what makes it so easy to want to own several (or all?) of them.

Elektron keeps adding cool stuff to the Digitakt! It's getting harder to resist!

Unless there’s a mk2 around the corner!

Digitakt is my gateway, then Syntakt. I don’t know what their release schedule looks like, but can’t help thinking it’s gonna be good.

[pdxindy]

Elektron keeps adding cool stuff to the Digitakt! It's getting harder to resist!

Unless there’s a mk2 around the corner!

Digitakt is my gateway, then Syntakt. I don’t know what their release schedule looks like, but can’t help thinking it’s gonna be good.

Not sure why there would be MKII's... it was needed with the analog MKI's but the Digi's already have those improvements.

If they were going to release something I want, it would be a Mixer/FX box for connecting all my other Elektron boxes

[DrGonzo]

Not sure why there would be MKII's... it was needed with the analog MKI's but the Digi's already have those improvements.

If they were going to release something I want, it would be a Mixer/FX box for connecting all my other Elektron boxes

Decades ago I did an interview with them for a magazine I was writing for, and I asked them why they just put out a Mk2 of the Machinedrum. The answer was so lovingly simple. Some parts were no longer available and when doing the internal rebuild of the hardware for the new components, they added a few things that could improve the functionality and called it mk2

Re. an Elektron mixer FX box. Man that is a thing I've been wishing for such a long time. Should be a walk in the park to do. I wonder why they don't.

/C

[elxsound]

Not sure why there would be MKII's... it was needed with the analog MKI's but the Digi's already have those improvements.

If they were going to release something I want, it would be a Mixer/FX box for connecting all my other Elektron boxes

Decades ago I did an interview with them for a magazine I was writing for, and I asked them why they just put out a Mk2 of the Machinedrum. The answer was so lovingly simple. Some parts were no longer available and when doing the internal rebuild of the hardware for the new components, they added a few things that could improve the functionality and called it mk2

Re. an Elektron mixer FX box. Man that is a thing I've been wishing for such a long time. Should be a walk in the park to do. I wonder why they don't.

/C

I still refuse to watch a Machinedrum video only because I’m already lusting for one (and I don’t like the 2nd hand price). The “Can Elektron start selling Machinedrums again” threads on Elektron boards are pretty popular right now.

That would be exciting if that’s the next release.

What are you guys envisioning for a mixer?

Like a hardware Overbridge, or something else?